Storm's strong winds cause problems throughout area

Saturday

Sep 22, 2012 at 12:01 AMSep 22, 2012 at 11:30 PM

A quick-moving storm swept through the area Saturday night, but it didnít take long to cause problems for some communities.

Meteorologist Rihaan Gangat at the National Weather Service in Moon Township said a line of heavy showers and strong winds moved across the region shortly after 6:30 p.m., leaving many trees and utility lines down in its wake. It was all over in about an hour.

Gangat said that although the area did not receive a significant measurement of rain, winds accompanying the storm reached about 55 to 60 mph at times.

Though problems were widespread, the south and central parts of Beaver County and the northern parts of Allegheny County were the hardest hit, according to Gangat and dispatchers at local 911 centers.

Gangat said Coraopolis had reports of 10 trees down after the storm, and some borough residents were still without power as of about 8:30 p.m.

Beaver County Emergency Services also received calls for trees and wires down in several communities, including Rochester, Conway, New Sewickley, Monaca, Industry and Freedom.

Police in Monaca closed Cascade Road in two places ó between Beaver Avenue and Chambers Drive, and Marshall Road and Cherry Alley ó for trees lying in the roadway and three broken utility poles.

Power was out in some areas along Cascade Road as of 9:30 p.m., but police were unable to say when it would be restored and the road reopened.

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